Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Concurrent BS/MS Program

The following is a brief description of the MSE Department’s concurrent BS/Graduate Study program and requirements.  This information is also available in the undergraduate handbook (pdf).

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering can admit seniors with exceptional academic qualifications into the program for "Concurrent Enrollment for Graduate/Undergraduate Degrees." A student in this program pursues a graduate MS or PhD degree while simultaneously completing his/her undergraduate BS degree.  After successfully completing the requirements for the BS and graduate degree, the student will receive both degrees at graduation – typically, but not always, on the same graduation date.

Students seeking admission to this program will apply near the end of their junior undergraduate year and are encouraged to discuss the matter with their academic advisor, the Director of Graduate Education (DOGE), or with the Department Chair.   An information packet is also available from the MSE Graduate Coordinator in the main MSE Office, 2220 Hoover Hall.   

Qualifications include the following:

Minimum overall GPA of 3.5

Minimum 90 credits accrued to begin BS/Graduate Study Program

Major Professor must be identified

In brief summary, the following steps should be taken to apply for the BS/Graduate Study program:

 (Please obtain items 3, 5, 6, 7 on-line at http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/forms/forms.html)

1.     Identify an MSE faculty member willing to serve as your Major Professor.

2.     Obtain a written recommendation from your undergraduate advisor.

3.     Complete an on-line graduate application that includes the following items – ISU Grad College Application Form, Full Resume/Curriculum Vitae, GRE General Test Scores, three letters of recommendation, personal statement of purpose and research interests, and form 1-A regarding transcripts and scholastic standing.

The following forms (4-7) should be completed with the necessary signatures obtained, and then submitted to the MSE graduate coordinator, Krista Briley, in the main MSE Office, 2220 Hoover Hall.

4.     MSE Department BS/Graduate Study Program of Study (POS) form (available from the MSE graduate coordinator)

5.     Concurrent Enrollment Request form (must be submitted in order for application to be complete)

 Forms to complete once graduate admission is approved:

6.     Recommendation for Committee Appointment form

7. Program of Study (POS) form  

Admission/Assistantship

No decision will be made on admission until all application material is complete and submitted.  BS/Graduate

Study students are under the same guidelines for review as all other students who apply through the graduate

application process.

Students in the BS/Graduate Study program are eligible for research assistantships offered directly through MSE faculty members with research contracts (this would be the major professor that you have identified in your application); however, such assistantships are contingent upon availability of funding and are not guaranteed for all concurrent BS/Graduate Study students.  Students are eligible for a 1/4 –time assistantship upon entrance into the BS/Graduate Study program.  Students who have accrued enough applicable credits to be eligible for B.S. graduation are eligible for a ½-time assistantship.  A completed and approved MSE Department BS/Graduate Study Program of Study will be used to identify the semester that the transition from ¼-time to ½-time will take place.  However, this is not automatic – written documentation from the student’s undergraduate academic advisor stating that the minimum BS requirements have been met AND the increase/additional funding meets the approval of the major professor is required.  Once received and approved, appropriate action will be taken to apply the increase.  In addition, all students on assistantship are eligible for in-state resident tuition.

Coursework

Students may double-count up to six credits between their B.S. and graduate degree requirements.  However, courses may only be used in this manner only when they are taken after the date when the student becomes a concurrent BS/Graduate Study student.